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Macomb scores big with state budget
MACOMB COUNTY — As the state of Michigan passed a $81.7 billion budget on June 28, Macomb County received a significant amount of funding for projects around the county.
Macomb County’s government received $40 million to fund a renovation project at the Macomb County Jail. The $230 million project aims to rework the jail’s intake and health systems to address mental health and substance abuse issues among inmates.
“The central intake and assessment facility is a critical component of keeping our community safe,” Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said in a statement. “We are committed to upholding our constitutional responsibility to care for those that are in our custody. This new facility will provide us with the necessary space to implement vital programs and services that can make a real difference.”
A $13 million allocation was included for upgrades to Selfridge Air National Guard Base for runway extension to prepare the base for a fighter mission in the future.
“We can now begin the difficult but essential process of refurbishment and expansion that will allow for a new fighter mission to be assigned here into 2027 and beyond,” state Rep. Alicia St. Germaine, of Harrison Township, said in a statement.
Lake St. Clair Metropark received $5 million to renovate the park’s north marina to build a new seawall, a new walkway, update and raise utilities, replace piers with floating docks and make ADA-accessible improvements.
Mount Clemens City Commission meets July 3
MOUNT CLEMENS — It was no long weekend for the Mount Clemens City Commission, which met on July 3.
Trustees approved a switch from Plante Moran to Maner Costerisan as the city’s auditor, which City Manager Gregg Shipman says will save the city $12,000 on audits. Parking sticker changes were also approved with the red and blue lot stickers raising to $100 per quarter and green, yellow, orange and purple lots to $75 per quarter, effective Jan. 1, 2024. Both are $10 increases. Applications to run for mayor and City Commission this November are due to the city clerk’s office at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 25. At least 40 signatures from city residents are required to run.
MDOT installs distracted driving signs at the border
STATEWIDE — The Michigan Department of Transportation installed new signs along the state’s borders last month informing incoming drivers of the new distracted driving law.
Coming into effect on June 30, the new law prohibits drivers from using a phone for social media, the internet and other nonemergency purposes while operating a motor vehicle, even while stationary at stop signs and red lights. The law expands on prior bans for talking and texting while operating a vehicle. First-time offenders will be charged a $100 civil fine and/or 16 hours of community service with $250 fines and/or 24 hours of community service for subsequent offenses. Penalties are increased if the cited driver is involved in a crash and for school bus and commercial vehicle operators. Statewide dynamic signs will also display the message, “NEW MICHIGAN LAW, NO HANDHELD DEVICES, WHILE DRIVING.”
Slotkin includes Selfridge protections in NDAA
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — Selfridge Air National Guard Base pilots can breathe a little easier now, as a plan to delay the retirement of the base’s A-10 Thunderbolt II attack jets was included in the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. Part of the 34 provisions submitted by Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, includes a ban on retiring Air National Guard fighter squadrons until the Secretary of the Air Force submits a fighter squadron recapitalization plan.
Other provisions from Slotkin include bans on purchasing PFOS-containing products, the requirement of a Department of Defense report on the potential risks of Chinese autonomous vehicles, cancer screenings for military firefighters and restrictions on training foreign militaries.
